Rotating humidifier

Abstract

A humidifier includes a rotating circular base plate driven by a motor through a gear reduction mechanism. A plurality of elongated troughs are mounted in a spaced circular array adjacent a periphery of the base plate, such that outer edges of the troughs are disposed on the surface of a cylinder. The troughs may have a variety of different transverse cross-sectional shapes, such as semi-circular, U-shaped, or V-shaped. A centrally disposed drive shaft extends axially from the base plate and includes a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced fins. The rotating base plate and attached troughs are mounted in a housing having an inlet duct and an outlet duct connected in a cold air return duct of a conventional forced air type furnace. A water tank disposed in the bottom of the housing is connected by a float valve to a water supply source such that a constant water level is maintained in the tank. As the base plate rotates, the troughs scoop up water, carry it upwardly into the air flow path, and gradually spill the water to create a waterfall in the air flow path. The radial fins on the drive shaft create turbulence in the air flow path to maximize the amount of moisture entrained in the air flow stream.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
       1. A humidifier for use in a forced air heating system having a cold air return duct, comprising: a base plate;   an elongated drive shaft extending substantially perpendicular to said base plate and secured centrally to said base plate;   means for rotating said drive shaft and base plate;   a plurality of elongated troughs secured around a periphery of said base plate;   a plurality of elongated fins secured to said drive shaft;   said base plate, said troughs, said drive shaft, and said fins mounted for concurrent rotation in a housing;   said housing including an inlet duct and an outlet duct mounted in a cold air return line of a forced air heating system;   a water tank disposed in a lower portion of said housing;   said base plate and said troughs disposed such that said troughs collect water from said tank at a lowest point of rotation and spill water as they move toward a highest point of rotation, creating a waterfall; and   said inlet and outlet ducts and said fins disposed such that turbulence is created in said air entering said housing through said inlet duct prior to passing through said waterfall and said outlet duct.   
     
     
       2. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein said base plate is substantially circular. 
     
     
       3. The humidifier of claim 2, wherein said troughs are disposed in a circular array around a peripheral edge of said base plate. 
     
     
       4. The humidifier of claim 3, wherein said troughs are substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing. 
     
     
       5. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein said troughs have a semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       6. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein said troughs have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       7. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein said troughs have a V-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       8. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said drive shaft and base plate comprises a gear reduction mechanism operably connected to a motor and said drive shaft for driving said base plate in rotation. 
     
     
       9. The humidifier of claim 1, wherein said fins are triangular. 
     
     
       10. The humidifier of claim 9, wherein said fins are disposed at equal angular increments and extend substantially parallel with said drive shaft. 
     
     
       11. A humidifier for use in a forced air heating system having a cold air return duct, comprising: a substantially circular base plate;   an elongated drive shaft extending substantially perpendicular to said base plate and secured centrally to said base plate;   a gear reduction mechanism operably connected to a motor and said drive shaft for driving said base plate in rotation;   a plurality of elongated troughs secured to a peripheral edge portion of said base plate, said troughs being substantially parallel and disposed in a circular array with substantially equal radial and circumferential spacing;   a plurality of elongated triangular fins secured to said drive shaft at equal angular increments, each of said fins having a widest base portion secured to said base plate;   said base plate, said troughs, said drive shaft, and said fins mounted for concurrent rotation in a housing;   said housing including an inlet duct and an outlet duct mounted in a cold air return line of a forced air heating system;   a water tank disposed in a lower portion of said housing and including a float valve connected to a water source for maintaining a predetermined water level in said tank;   said base plate and said troughs disposed such that said troughs collect water from said tank at a lowest point of rotation and spill water as they move toward a highest point of rotation, creating a waterfall; and   said inlet and outlet ducts and said fins disposed such that turbulence is created in said air entering said housing through said inlet duct prior to passing through said waterfall and said outlet duct.   
     
     
       12. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein said troughs have a semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       13. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein said troughs have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       14. The humidifier of claim 11, wherein said troughs have a V-shaped cross-sectional shape.